Delegator claims on the line

Brian Meehan expects 2000 Guineas talking horse Delegator to “take all the beating” in tomorrow’s banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

The Dansili colt was as big as 33-1 for the first Classic of the season two weeks ago but now finds himself as low as 7-1 second-favourite behind Mastercraftsman with most firms.

Second behind the ill-fated Wingwalker on his debut, Delegator then won his maiden at Newmarket beating Palavicini and Four Winds, who both have Derby aspirations, with Epsom favourite and stablemate Crowded House back in 10th.

Meehan thought enough of his youngster to send him to the Dewhurst to tackle the best around and despite running green, Delegator showed immense promise in fifth, beaten less than two lengths.

It is fair to say there will be plenty of punters with burnt fingers if he gets turned over but stable confidence appears to be high.

“He’s very, very well and he’s very fit,” said Meehan.

“The Dewhurst was last season and we’ve moved on from that now and everything is set up for tomorrow, where I think he should take all the beating.

“On breeding a mile should not be any problem at all and it may prove to be his ideal trip but tomorrow is the first step on the ladder.

“The Guineas is the plan, that is what we are looking at with him.”

One intriguing runner is Sir Michael Stoute’s Glass Harmonium, who won a Yarmouth maiden on his second start last September.

Owned by Ballymacoll Stud, the Verglas colt is related to the likes of Hard Top and Conduit.

“He’s a nice pedigree but he’s interestingly bred being by a miler out of a staying mare so it a bit of a mixture, we were trying to put a bit of speed into the family and I don’t know whether I’ve overdone it or not,” said Peter Reynolds, racing manager for the stud.

“I think he’s been pleasing him (Stoute) and he has improved recently. He was going to run in the Dewhurst but Sir Michael just didn’t think he was ready for it after only two runs.

“We would just hope that he runs a nice race so we can get a handle on where he will go next.”

Godolphin are relishing the prospect of unleashing American import City Style following his two wins at Nad Al Sheba during the winter.

The gelding was fourth to Donativum in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on his final US start before showing he had trained on in Dubai.

“City Style is fit, happy and working well,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com.

“He won his two races in Dubai in good style and we are looking forward to running him in the Craven Stakes.”

John Gosden runs Close Alliance, winner of his debut at Great Leighs in October before having a troubled run in the Kentucky Derby Challenge last month.

“He could have run in the Feilden but we are running him in the Craven,” said Gosden.

“He had a bit of a rough old trip round Kempton in the Kentucky Derby Trial.

“He’s in good form and he should put up a nice showing, but I probably see him ending up as a mile and a quarter horse.”